Chapter 15
I'm sorry you won't get to dressed up in the pretty outfit we bought in Seattle," Edward says as he buries his face in Bella's freshly blow-dried mane.
God, she smells good.
"What?" she asks melting into him, running her nails up his back.
"Tonight is New Year's Eve," Edward murmurs against her neck.
"Umm, that feels good . . . New Year's!" she pulls away, leaving him cold and empty handed.
"Esme!" she calls knocking on the adjoining door.
Esme comes to the door in her robe and Bella sees Carlisle buttoning his shirt over her shoulder.
"Bella?" Esme looks at the girl standing in front of her with her fist raised to knock and her eyes squeezed shut.
"I'm sorry, Esme. Sorry Carlisle," she calls over Esme's shoulder.
She hears a masculine laugh and dares a peek, "Don't worry sweetheart, we were just getting dressed."
Esme laughs, "What's up, dear."
"Tonight's New Year's Eve, I need your help," Bella says taking Esme's hand.
Esme lights up and squeezes back, "of course, let's get dressed and we'll talk over breakfast."
"Thank you," Bella says with relief as she closes the door.
"What was that, Sweets?" Edward calls from the balcony.
She follows his voice and finds him leaning on the banister looking out over downtown Reno and she mimics his stance.
"Esme is going to help me with a New Year's Eve party in Bob's room," she says.
He can't resist her lips on level with his. He leans his shoulder against hers and places his lips gently on hers. She moans, spurring him on. Wrapping his arms around her he pulls her toward him. She turns to melt into him and runs her tempting little tongue along his lip.
This woman sets him on fire.
He finds himself pulling her, molding her to him as he takes over the kiss. Her whimper has him break away and run open mouth kisses along her creamy neck.
"Oh God, that feels so good, Moondoggie, please don't stop, please, please, please. . ." she moans.
He smiles against her neck as she begins her little chant. He straightens and gathers her hair into a low ponytail, angling her face up to his. He kisses her slowly with luscious licks and heated breaths, and takes his time just enjoying her mouth, having the right to do this. His mind flashes back to the cinnamon day and the excruciating wayhe wanted this mouth. He thought of nothing but those lips, that tongue, and the heated cinnamon on her breath, such a delicious torment.
He pulls back, giving her wet pecks, and finally rests his forehead on hers.
"I love your mouth, Baby," he pants letting her hair fall loosely around her shoulders.
She looks up with dreamy, round eyes and he knows he can have her here, now; that she wants him with the same intensity as he wants her. His heart rushes at her tender yielding, and he feels the stirring at the thought of her spread out under him.
Time—time becomes the instrument that brings him to his senses. They need to meet Mom and Pops in twenty minutes. He sighs and with great effort steps back. She follows, refusing to let the connection be broken, and wraps her arms around his waist. He turns them toward the city view and rests his cheek on her hair.
They stand wrapped around each other lost in thought.
"Reno is pretty in the morning light," her soft voice draws him back to her.
"Yes, it is," he says absently.
The morning breeze carries the echo of bells to their balcony.
"What's that?" she asks as she leans over the railing to find the source.
Edward pulls her back against his chest and points to the chapel a few blocks over.
"Looks like someone just got married," Edward says.
"Married, at this hour?" she says with surprise.
He laughs softly, "Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do."
She smiles as he turns her to face him, feeling his manly hands smooth over her hips and lace at the small of her back.
"I guess I could see how that could be," she says softly.
His heart races as he nuzzles his nose through her hair.
"You know, Sweets, Nevada is a no wait state," he says nonchalantly.
"Really?" she asks in casual reply.
"Hmm-Hmm and I'm feeling a 'when in Rome . . ." kinda vibe about now," he says leaving a kiss behind her ear.
She pulls back to look up into his face.
He knows she is searching for the truth. He tries to let the most earnest truth shine out of him.
Finally, she whispers, "Are you sure, Moondoggie?"
"Baby, you're my forever," he states with a shrug. "Is this too fast for you? As long as we're together, I'm fine," he says taking his turn at searching for the truth in her eyes.
"I can't see a minute without you Moondoggie, I just want to be together, always," she says with surety.
He nods and smiles. She returns his smile as he pulls her to him.
He kisses her neck and whispers in her ear, "Sooo maybe when the time is right . . ."
She runs his earlobe between her teeth. "When the time is right, I'll say 'yes.'"
He pulls her into a tight squeeze and they cling to each other as he rocks them.
She's gonna marry me!
She hugs his waist and kisses the hollow in his throat.
He wants to marry me!
~o0o~
"Carlisle, Edward come in, come in," Dunny says as he stands to give them handshakes and back slaps.
Carlisle hands Dunny a Styrofoam container from the diner. "Sorry Bob, you're still on a special diet."
Bob makes a face and growls. Edward pats him on the shoulder and pulls a smoothie out from behind his back.
"Oooo!" Bob says as he reaches for his treat with his left arm and Edward helps him wrap his hand around the cup and rest it on the portable table over his lap.
"Slow sips, Bob," Carlisle warns.
Bob nods as he takes a second sip.
Carlisle and Edward sit down after drawing their chairs closer to the bed.
Dunny has tucked into his breakfast as well and the room is filled with scrapes of utensils on plastic, slurps, and grunts of approval.
Edward had been preoccupied all morning, giving the women free rein over the conversation at breakfast and hardly speaking on the ride to the hospital. Carlisle watches his mind whirring and waits.
"Pops, when Mom and Sweets get here, would you mind running an errand with me?" Edward asks as he runs his hand through his hair.
"Sure, son, where to?" Carlisle asks crossing his legs.
"Um, Bella and I had a conversation this morning and I want to—um—go ring shopping," Edward says as the heat runs up his neck.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Dunny and Bob exchange a look as Pops rocks forward in surprise.
Edward instinctively braces for battle. Carlisle, choosing to play devil's advocate, complies.
"Don't you think this is a little soon, son?" He asks giving Edward a level look.
"No, no we don't," Edward leans forward; placing his forearms on his knees, and steels himself for battle.
Carlisle looks over Edward's shoulder at Dunny before continuing, "Look, son," he sighs, "I know what it's like to be infatuated with . . ."
"Infatuated—do you think that's what this is? My God, Pops, I've never felt like this before. This is it, the real deal." Edward sits back, "And to be honest, I'm not asking permission for a damn thing."
Dunny moves closer to Bob as Carlisle sits back mirroring his son's position. "Son, I can tell you've got strong feelings for the girl . . ."
"Bella," Edward corrects.
"Bella," Carlisle concedes and continues, "but she's young. She's going to want to experience life, get out and see the world, try on different versions of herself to see who she wants to be. What if you are just a passing fancy to her?" Carlisle stops speaking as Bob growls and Dunny nudges Edward's shoulder to get in the fight.
Edward leans forward, "Don't try to speak for her, Pops. She teaches me every day to see the beauty of the world and not pass over the experiences of life. Sweets is the truest person I've ever met. She's true to herself and knows what she wants."
By this time, Dunny is bobbing his head next to Edward, egging him on.
"We belong together. We are already bound to each other and I'm going to do right by her and make it legit to the world." Edward finishes his declaration with his voice and hands shaking.
Bob smacks his hand on the mattress, "yeeezz!"
The men relax into laughter.
"Well all right then, ring shopping it is," Carlisle says and lifts his coffee cup in a toast to his son, pride and love overflowing his heart.
~o0o~
Esme and Bella return bearing food and decorations. Bella drops the bags and hurries over to give Dunny a hug and sit on the edge of Bob's bed taking his hand. They sit and talk of decorations and parties.
"Do we have to dress up for this one?" Dunny grumbles to Bella.
Edward quickly tells Mom and Pops the story of Bella's dinner for the men.
"No, not if you don't want to," Esme says.
Edward sees disappointment register with the guys.
"Hell no, if Pops and I have to suffer with suits the least you two bums can do is throw on a clean shirt and comb your hair."
Carlisle and Esme tense at the harsh tone, but Bella giggles, smiling warmly and squeezes Bob's hand softly.
"Please, you're so handsome when you dress up a little," She reaches over and pats Dunny's hand.
Carlisle and Esme watch Dunny tuck his head shyly and nod as Bob brings his and Bella's clasped hands to his chest and closes his eyes to rest.
Carlisle looks at Edward, "It's amazing. They're like putty in her hands."
Esme laughs next to him.
Edward smiles and nods, "She's like the Old Dude Whisperer."
"Y'all shush," Bella says with a giggle.
When Bob is asleep, Bella helps Esme pass out subs and chips for lunch. They talk about Bob coming home and Alice and Jasper hosting the New Year's party for the first time.
Edward and Carlisle leave the women blissfully in decoration mode and head downtown.
Esme has a barber come in to give Bob and Dunny an old-fashioned haircut and shave with hot towels and shaving lotion.
They grouse and fuss until the hot towels hit their faces, then a delighted silence ensues.
She sends Dunny back to the hotel to shower and dress. A nurse comes in to give Bob a sponge bath and Esme has a new shirt for him to put on for the occasion.
When Dunny returns and all the party's arrangements are made, Bella and Esme return to the hotel to get ready.
~o0o~
"That's it, Pops. That's the one!" Edward shouts.
"Is that . . .?"
"Yes, yes it is," Edward smiles.
Carlisle claps his hand on Edward's shoulder, "My God, it's perfect," he says.
Edward nods, "Perfect."
~o0o~
The two couples return around seven, dressed to the nines and turning heads as they walk through the hospital halls. Dunny and Bob receive them in stiff new shirts and slicked back hair.
Carlisle is in a navy blue suit to Edward's charcoal gray. While Carlisle's hair is styled handsomely, Bella refused to let Edward tame his hair.
The men shake hands and slap backs in greeting, but it's the older men's response to the ladies that has Edward and Carlisle snickering in the corner.
Bella walks in on Edward's arm dressed in a cinnamon red cocktail dress constructed of a sequined, corseted top and a flirty skirt made of a satin lining with sheer panels that float around her thighs. Dunny smacks Bob's shoulder with the back of his hand and Bob hits him back on his arm. Bella heads straight to Dunny.
"Happy New Year, Dunny," she says brightly.
"Uh—you too, Bella girl," Dunny murmurs with an awkward squeeze back.
When she turns to Bob, he holds out his good arm in welcome and gives her a full-on crooked smile. When she leans in for a hug, his eyes close in bliss and his arm holds her close. When she steps away, Bob says, "Turn."
Bella looks at him with confusion, but Edward steps forward, pulling her into his arms. He makes great fanfare of spinning her out and reeling her back, with a final flourish of twirling her.
Dunny claps as Bob pats his mattress and cheers.
Bella, pink but flattered, hides her face in Edward's chest. He wraps his arms tightly around her as the room falls silent and Esme enters and walks to Carlisle.
Dunny and Bob stare openly at Esme's graceful curves draped in an elegant, tea length silk dress. Gold beading accents her waist and a fishtail kick pleat in the back allows her to move in the snug skirt.
For the rest of the night, the men blush whenever Esme speaks to them and neither man will look directly at her apart from an occasional stealthy peek.
~o0o~
"Do you have it, son?" Carlisle asks conspiratorially as they watch the two old guys' eyes follow the two pretty ladies as they flutter around the room setting out food and starting up music.
"Yes sir, in my pocket." Edward smiles nervously.
"You going to ask tonight?"
"If it fits into the night, I'd like to," Edward says.
Carlisle pats his back, "make it fit, son. I'm excited for you and so glad you're willing to share this with your mom and me."
"I'm glad you're here, Pops," Edward smiles.
As 'This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)' comes on the playlist, Carlisle gives his boy one more pat and claims his wife to spin her around the small hospital room. Nurses gather at the nurses' desk outside the room as Edward claims Bella and joins his parents on the makeshift dance floor. After the Temptations' 'My Girl' ends, the nursing staff claps and giggles as the men bow.
Bob snoozes while they eat a dinner of sliders, dips, chips, bread sticks, fruit and cheese.
Later, they play board games with Bob teaming up with whoever is playing against Dunny.
Around eleven they turn on the Time Square New Year's Eve Celebration, muting it to continue dancing to their own playlist.
Bella pulls Dunny into a dance and he hobbles her around the room with red ears and no eye contact as Bob dips his head to the time of their movements, a goofy grin gracing his face.
As the music ends, Bella kisses Dunny on the cheek and thanks him for the wonderful dance. He turns red but touches her cheek before quickly hobbling over to his chair by Bob, smacking him on the shoulder as he takes his seat.
At eleven forty-five, 'At Last' comes on the playlist and Edward takes Bella's hand leading her to the middle of the room. He pulls her into a snug dance and kisses her sweetly on the cheek.
"Are you having a good time, Baby?" he asked softly.
"A wonderful time, I've never celebrated a New Year before. It's been an incredible night," she sighs with happy contentment.
He slows their dance as he reaches into his pocket.
He places his hand tenderly on her cheek, tilting her gaze to meet his.
She glances around, noticing the stillness of the room. Etta James is still singing, but even she seems to have quieted at the moment.
"Bella?"
She looks up into Edward's handsomeness, so hopeful.
"Yes!"
Her eyes bug as she realizes she has jumped the gun and she gathers herself as the room laughs quietly.
"Um—go ahead Moondoggie," she smiles as she begins to vibrate against him.
"Sweets, I love you. You're my forever, Will you marry me?" He swallows thickly and holds his breath.
She smiles brightly, and repeats, "Yes!" squealing as he opens the ring box.
"Oh Moondoggie, it's beautiful," she breaths.
The ring is bordered in platinum with yellow gold forming a delicate, leafy, vine that winds around the circumference of the ring. Small diamonds are grouped to represent the small white balls.
"Is that mistletoe?" she asks as he slips it on her finger.
"Yes," he shrugs. He kisses it on her slender finger, cherishing the sight.
She kisses him and looks at her hand. "It's perfect," she smiles dreamily.
"Perfect," he murmurs as he gathers her into his arms and finishes the song.
The room and those at the nurses' station clap as he dips her and she giggles.
They have just enough time to gather hugs and backslaps from everyone before the countdown to the New Year begins.
Moondoggie pulls his Sweets into a claiming kiss of celebration. They kiss and kiss again as Auld Lang Sine plays over the TV. After a moment, Bella pulls away and tows him back to the others.
She hugs Dunny and Bob while Edward hugs his parents.
They switch positions and repeat the process.
Carlisle pours the non-alcoholic wine Bella was served at Les Normandes. As each takes a flute, Carlisle lifts his in a toast.
"To a new year full of new beginnings," he says as he looks at each family member and friend. His eyes rest on Bob as he takes a sip. Bob lifts his flute in salute.
"New beginnings," they echo.
They celebrate as they drink and eat desserts.
When the night winds down, Bob dozes as they begin to clean up the room.
Bella and Esme take down the streamers and banner, stopping every now and then to clasp hands and squeal together.
When all is clean, Esme and Bella take out a tray of treats, and Carlisle follows with a bottle and cups to the nurses' station.
~o0o~
As the door closes completely, Bob speaks.
"Ehwah," he says patting his bed for attention.
Edward turns to him, "Yes, sir."
"Tank hue" he forces out.
Dunny stands next to Bob.
Edward smiles curiously, "for what, old man?"
Bob looks at Dunny. Dunny pats his shoulder and Bob leans into his pillow.
". . . For keeping her with us, for making sure we get to keep her." Dunny says finishing Bob's thought.
Bob nods, "Tank hue," he closes his eyes and pats Dunny's hand on his shoulder.
Edward swallows past the lump in his throat as his eyes sting.
Clearing his throat he says, "Well, the pleasure has been all mine, I can assure you."
The three men laugh quietly with a contented understanding passing over them.
They get to keep her.
Bella's right, they are family.
~o0o~
She lies curled against a snoring Edward.
When they got back to the hotel, he undressed her and laid her down on the bed. Their lovemaking was a slow melding of body and soul.
Now, she holds up her ring to the window light.
He loves her.
He's going to marry her.
She was so desperately alone and now—now she is part of someone.
She kisses his chest and smiles as his arm pulls her to him in his sleep.
Tomorrow they will bring Bobby home. She sighs heavily. He stirs in response. She looks at her ring again in thought and then rolls to lie on top of him, draping herself over his body, laying her cheek above his heart as it beats.
His hands lazily slip down her back to cup her ass.
"Baby?" he murmurs.
"I just needed to be close, Moondoggie, shhh, sleep," she whispers and kisses his chin.
He holds her to him and rolls her under him. "If you're still awake, I didn't do my job. Let me set that right, Baby." He says placing hot kisses along her neck and shoulder.
"Yes, please," she breathes as his kisses begin a southern journey starting between her breasts.